Evia Beaches, Greece: Karystos, Kalamos, Pefki and the Naturist Beaches
Evia has countless beaches - sandy Alikes and Lefkandi near the capital Chalkida, long strands around Pefki and Edipsos in the north, the widest choice around Karystos in the south, and naturist beaches at Hikiadou, Rovies and Agia Anna. The east coast is steeper and its currents run stronger than the west and south, and most beaches are unorganised with no lifeguard, so weaker swimmers stay close to shore. Find a base near them on the Evia hotels page. Hire a car to explore Evia at your own pace, covered in our Evia car hire guide.
- Capital
- Chalkida
- East coast
- Steeper, stronger current
- Most beaches
- Unorganised
- Naturist
- Hikiadou · Rovies · Agia Anna
Beaches around Chalkida and Eretria
The beaches near the capital Chalkida and the town of Eretria are easy to reach and popular with Greek visitors.
Alikes
Alikes lies near the capital Chalkida. In summer you rent umbrellas and sunbeds, and tavernas and snack bars stay open. It is a long sandy beach with water sports.
Lefkandi
Lefkandi lies just below Chalkida, between Chalkida and Eretria. It is a 2-kilometre-long sandy beach with several tavernas and a few places to stay.
Eretria
Eretria beach sits close to the town centre. It has tavernas and other facilities and is popular with Greeks. It is usually quiet and lined with palm trees.
Amarynthos
Amarynthos lies a little south of Eretria. Its sandy beaches shelve gently into the sea, which suits families with children. Tavernas and rental accommodation stand around the beach.
Beaches in the north of Evia
The green north of Evia holds long sandy beaches around Edipsos, Istiaia and Pefki.
Edipsos
Edipsos beach lies in the northern spa village of the same name. It is a pleasant beach with facilities and tavernas.
Istiaia
Istiaia beach, also spelled Istiea, is a long beach in the north near the town of the same name.
Pefki
Pefki has long sandy beaches backed by green olive and pine trees. In summer hydrofoils sometimes run from here to Skiathos and the other Sporades islands.
Rovies
Rovies, near the villages of Rovies and Limni in the north-west, is a long, beautiful pebble beach.
Beaches on the east coast
The east coast is steeper, and its currents run stronger than on the west and south, so weaker swimmers stay close to shore.
Kalamos
Kalamos lies in the east, south of the village of Kimi. It is a group of small bays with fine sandy beaches in a spectacular setting, with a few tavernas and one hotel.
Limnionas
Limnionas is a beautiful beach on the east side, about 1 hour and 15 minutes' drive from Chalkida, with two tavernas nearby.
Xiliadou
Xiliadou lies on the east coast behind the Dirfys mountains, about an hour from the capital. It is a quiet, beautiful sandy beach with a few tavernas and some small hotels.
Beaches around Karystos and the south
The area around Karystos in the south has the widest choice of beaches on Evia.
Nea Styra
Nea Styra lies south of Amarynthos, where ferries cross to the mainland. It has taverns, accommodation, large sandy beaches and a car-free seafront, and suits families with small children.
Zarakon
Zarakon lies in the south-east near Styra, in a quiet bay that rarely gets crowded, with two tavernas.
West of Karystos: Gallida, Rigia and Paximada
West of Karystos, West beach, Gallida beach and Rigia beach lie a few minutes' walk apart, followed by more beaches along the coast. Gallida is a sandy beach with a quiet asphalt road along it and easy access, safe for small children. Paximada beach, about 10 kilometres outside Karystos, has a small cantina, the church of Agios Paraskevi nearby and a small island with a lighthouse offshore.
Psili Ammos and Marmara
Psili Ammos beach, about half a kilometre east of Karystos, is 300 metres long and its name means "fine sand". It shelves gently and is safe for children, reached by stone steps from the coastal road. Marmara beach, the largest further east, falls into three parts, while Kavos beach and Bouros beach lie nearby; Bouros has a statue of a centaur and a nymph, with an abandoned hotel complex on the hill above.
Agios Dimitrios and Kallianos
Agios Dimitrios and Kallianos lie on the south-eastern side in quiet, picturesque bays with turquoise water. Each has a small tavern, and the last stretch to Agios Dimitrios needs an off-road vehicle or a 15-minute walk.
Naturist beaches on Evia
Naturists head for Hikiadou near Kimi and the quiet beaches west of Karystos, with more options at Rovies, Vasilika and Agia Anna.
Hikiadou
Hikiadou lies on the north side just west of Kimi. It was once one of the best naturist beaches in Greece; it is busier now, with more people in swimwear, so it works best outside high season and at weekends.
Potami and west of Karystos
Potami lies in the south-west. Follow the coastal road from Karystos towards Aetos to reach several quiet beaches suitable for naturism. West of Karystos the beaches are plentiful and quiet, and naturism is possible here too.
Rovies campsite, Vasilika and Agia Anna
The pebble beach on the north side of Rovies campsite, in the north-west, is used by naturists on a first-come basis. The southern section of Vasilika beach in the north-east is used by naturists, as is the southern part of Agia Anna beach, a large beach with room for everyone.
